Purpose

On 2nd July 2026 the Head of Community Services, in agreement with the Cabinet Member for Public Protection (and shared with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee on 13th July 2026), revised the Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2022-2026. This document provides a framework for decisions by the Council as Licensing Authority, and these changes ratify what has been previously agreed at the Licensing Committee to make policy positions clearer, incorporate statutory standards, and implement approved amendments following feedback from the Trade. Other than the Licensing Committee decisions, other changes are minor and do not fundamentally alter the intent or meaning of the Policy but seek to make it easier to understand. This is a technical, administrative exercise to update the Policy document so it reflects the Committee’s resolutions. The Head of Community Services (in agreement with the Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Chair and Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee) has delegated authority to make minor amendments to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy (report HCS/085 refers). The amendments are included within the new Policy in bold so the revisions are easy to identify. Appendix P of the Policy summarises the key changes, which are also summarised below for ease: - Incorporation of training requirements for Private Hire Operators and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Training for those drivers operating such. This change ratifies what was agreed at the Licensing Committee in relation to Disability Awareness Training. All new Operators must do it before being licensed and existing Operators must complete it by 2027. All drivers operating a WAV must also complete relevant training by 2027. - Incorporation of training requirements for Private Hire Operators. - CCTV requirements from 2027. - Revisions to some licence conditions to make it easier to understand and enforce. Examples include the removal of conditions relating to livery, adding clarity regarding window tint (manufacture install only permitted) and that the Council will produce hackney carriage door signage going forward (post April 2026). -Smoke-free requirements also updated to include vapes as licensed vehicles are workplaces and also spaces to which the public has access. - When a new Certificate of Compliance is needed to now include post-accident damage to ensure it remains fit for purpose (this has been the case but is now reflected clearly in the Policy). - Private hire vehicle exemptions from door livery (as per Committee agreement) and approval from the Council for vehicle advertising. - Update to Group II Medical so drivers can also go to Council nominated surgeries if their own GP cannot provide an appointment. In addition, the changes include revisions to language or further explanations to make matters easier to understand and enforce. Examples include: - Minor – includes words like Authorised Officer, Taxi Licensing Service and simple English. - Simplification of vehicle colour requirements to “dark in colour” rather than currently which refers to Oxford blue. - Clarity on when a vehicle is resprayed, it needs to include the interior so it matches (so that passengers can say the colour of the interior was white/blue etc if needed).

Decision

That the Head of Community Services, in agreement with the Cabinet Member for Public Protection (and shared with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee), revise the Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2022-2026.

Alternative options considered

1) To revise the Policy. The Policy requires revision for the reasons set out above, to ensure legal compliance and to support the Council as Licensing Authority and its decision making process. It also helps to protect the Authority in the event of legal challenge. 2) Not to revise the Policy. This option was not feasible as the revisions were required to enact the resolution passed by the Licensing Committee.